

A versatile utility player turned beloved broadcaster, whose nickname became a staple of baseball radio for a generation.
Dave Campbell's baseball life unfolded in two distinct, successful acts. As a player, he was the definition of a journeyman, a reliable infielder who spent eight seasons with four teams, most notably the San Diego Padres. His solid glove and right-handed bat made him a useful piece, though he never quite secured an everyday role. It was after hanging up his cleats that Campbell found his true calling. He transitioned seamlessly to the broadcast booth, where his deep knowledge of the game and steady, insightful delivery made him a fixture. For years, he was a central voice on ESPN Radio's 'Game of the Week,' providing national audiences with clear analysis. The nickname 'Soup,' a playful nod to his last name, became familiar to millions of listeners, cementing his place as a trusted interpreter of the sport long after his playing days ended.
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
Dave was born in 1942, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
The biggest hits of 1942
#1 Movie
Bambi
Best Picture
Mrs. Miniver
The world at every milestone
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat
NASA founded
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Euro currency enters circulation
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 4th round of the 1965 MLB draft out of the University of Michigan.
His broadcasting career began with the Padres shortly after his retirement as a player in 1974.
He is a member of the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor.
“You show up ready, do your job, and let the rest take care of itself.”